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Infant deaths leads to baby sling recall

One million infant slings recalled.
One million infant slings recalled.
Credits: 
www.infantino.com

After the tragic death of a 6-day-old infant in Salem, Oregon and two other reports of infant deaths, 1 million Infantino Slingrider and Wendy Bellissimo infants sling have been recalled in the United States. 

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, all three infants died in 2009. Derrick Fowler was just six days old when he died on May 7, 2009 due to suffocation in the Infantino sling he was being carried in. His mother, Lisa Cochran, is suing the infant sling company for more than $4 million in damages. 

Infantino is offering free replacements for Slingrider and Wendy Billissimo slings. The company has issued a statement which says in part, "At Infantino, our top priority is the safety of infants whose parents and caregivers use our products..." 

The soft fabric of some infant slings that surrounds a small infant with little neck strength or control can be a dangerous combination. The CPSC reported that there have been 14 infant death related to sling type baby carriers. It is recommended that a baby's face not be covered so it is visible while in the sling. The CPSC has published a diagram showing correct and incorrect ways to carry a baby in a sling. 

 

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By

Portland Early Childhood Parenting Examiner

Kimberly Hurd is a Portland-area mother of two, ages three and six, with a third child on the way. Kimberly and her husband have lived in the...

Comments

  • Kathleen Smith 1 year ago
    Report Abuse

    Thank you Ms. Hurd. I have passed your article on.

  • Jenni 1 year ago
    Report Abuse

    I have one of these Infantino slings, and the one time I used it I knew it was not right. My daughter was 2 months old the first time I tried the sling at the mall. Immediately, my grandmother freaked out due to the way the baby's face and neck position was very dangerous; I was even resting the sling on my arm. It should not be on the company that parents do not carefully risk the carriers. As a parent, they should have checked up on the infant. They could have seen issues if they were developed, because I do not believe it happened in an instant. And, to whom ever was slinging the 6 day old baby, why in your right mind sling a newborn? Their necks are weak, why in the right mind would a newborn be anywhere but in your sight at all times. Stop being lazy and hold your child. You get more of a connection, in my opinion.

  • Jenni 1 year ago
    Report Abuse

    I have one of these Infantino slings, and the one time I used it I knew it was not right. My daughter was 2 months old the first time I tried the sling at the mall. Immediately, my grandmother freaked out due to the way the baby's face and neck position was very dangerous; I was even resting the sling on my arm. It should not be on the company that parents do not carefully risk the carriers. As a parent, they should have checked up on the infant. They could have seen issues if they were developed, because I do not believe it happened in an instant. And, to whom ever was slinging the 6 day old baby, why in your right mind sling a newborn? Their necks are weak, why in the right mind would a newborn be anywhere but in your sight at all times. Stop being lazy and hold your child. You get more of a connection, in my opinion.

  • grieving mom 1 year ago
    Report Abuse

    how insensitive can you be Jenni? parents has lost their children over this product, and your response is that parents should be more careful. obviously parents believe that if a products description enable's a person/parent to use the product in a safe manner and that it is AGE appropriate, we assume that it is safe and that the product has been tested. And if you do your research you can and will clearly see that it has been proven that the child can loose their life in 1 to 2 minutes.

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